What is Achievers?
Black and Latino Achievers is a leadership and career exploration program that helps students discover their potential and build a clear path for their future. Through mentorship, real career exposure, and leadership development, students gain the confidence, skills, and support they need to succeed. Open to students from 5th grade through post-secondary.
By the time students graduate from Achievers, they leave with a plan, professional connections, and the belief that they are capable of achieving more than they imagined.
Building Leaders One Step at a Time
Every Achiever moves through a leadership pathway designed to help them grow over time. They begin by exploring who they are and what interests them.
They develop confidence and leadership skills. They begin exploring careers and building a vision for their future. They gain real-world exposure to professionals, industries, and opportunities.
By the time they graduate from the program, Achievers leave with:
- A clear plan for their next step after high school
- Strong leadership and communication skills
- Professional mentors and career connections
- Confidence in their ability to succeed
Most importantly, they leave with a community that continues to support them long after graduation.
Read Full Program Overview
The Achievers Journey
NexGen Academy
For: Students in 5th grade and under
- Helps younger students build confidence by exploring new activities, ideas, and interests.
- Uses interactive games, group projects, and hands-on learning to spark curiosity.
- Focuses on developing early leadership, teamwork, and creative problem-solving skills.
LevelUp Academy
For: Students in 6th–8th grade
- Supports middle school students as they explore identity, belonging, and self-expression.
- Helps youth discover their strengths and begin connecting their interests to future opportunities.
- Builds confidence, leadership skills, communication, and teamwork while preparing students for the transition to high school.
Blueprint Academy
For: Students in 9th–10th grade
- Helps students begin actively planning for their future education and career paths.
- Introduces career exploration and helps participants develop a personalized college and career plan.
- Focuses on leadership, communication, and understanding the academic pathways connected to career goals.
Junior Academy
For: Students in 11th grade
- Supports students as they begin making real decisions about life after graduation.
- Helps participants build resumes, develop interview skills, and explore college or workforce opportunities.
- Strengthens leadership, mentoring abilities, and confidence in navigating post-graduation choices.
Senior Academy
For: Students in 12th grade
- Prepares seniors to successfully transition from high school to college, careers, or credential programs.
- Helps students finalize post-secondary plans and build practical life and career skills.
- Focuses on independence, confidence, and readiness for adulthood.
4E Academy
For: Program graduates and young professionals
- Provides continued mentorship, networking, and professional development after graduation.
- Helps participants build professional networks, leadership skills, and financial literacy.
- Encourages graduates to mentor younger Achievers while advancing their own careers.
What is Included with Achievers
What Parents Notice First
Parents often tell us the same thing after their child joins Achievers.
They notice changes like:
- Increased confidence speaking and sharing ideas
- Greater motivation toward school and future goals
- Stronger leadership and responsibility
- More positive friendships and peer influence
- Greater awareness of college and career opportunities
Many parents say:
"I didn’t realize how much my child needed this until I saw the change."
Achievers is designed for students with potential who are ready to grow.
Your child may be a great fit for Achievers if they:
- Are curious about their future
- Want to build confidence and leadership skills
- Would benefit from mentorship and guidance
- Are open to exploring careers and new opportunities
- Want to connect with positive peers and role models
Students do not need to be perfect. We are not looking for perfection. They simply need to be open to growth.
Achievers helps students develop the confidence, direction, and support system they need to succeed.
- Attendance at the following activities is required:
- Orientation session
- Kick-Off Retreat
- At least 26 of 28 program sessions
- Absences MUST be made up via community service hours [1 absence = 2.5 hours owed]
- Excessive absences from the program will result in dismissal from the program at the expense of the parent.
- Immersion and Industry Exploration Days
- College Tours
- Social/Networking Events
- Community Service at 10 hours monthly
- Participation in Mentor Match Sessions, Career & Scholarship Fairs
- Salute Awards Celebration
- Completion of 8 Career Maps
- Free Y Memberships & Discounts to Family Memberships
- College & scholarship application support
- Professional Development
- Scholarships for graduating Seniors
- The CDYMCA Dreams Scholarship (up to $2,000)
- The Warren & Denyse Mackey Foundation Scholarship ($10,000)
- Youth & Government and other Y program offerings, i.e. swim instruction
- Professional Headshots
- Access to Black & Latino Alumni Association
- Access to Employment & Internship Opportunities
- Leadership Opportunities and Training via PSC
- Certified Community Service Hours
- Letters of Recommendation
- Program runs concurrently with the academic calendar, September - June
- Choose your site and your session:
- Full-year session (Sept. - June) - $250
- Fall Session (Step. - Feb.) - $175
- Spring Session (Feb - June) - $175
- Students meet once a week for 2.5 hours
- Completion of 8 Career Maps
- 10 hours minimum monthly volunteer and community service
- Quarterly Immersion Days and Monthly Career Exploration Days
- Professional and character/life skills development workshops
- Financial and financial aid workshops
- Local, domestic, and regional, college tours
- Swim lessons
- Love Notes initiative
- Boys and Young Men of Color (BYMOC) | Queens Rising
- CPR/AED & First Aid certifications | Phlebotomy Certification Courses
- Youth & Government (Achievers do not pay or register separately for YAG. It is included in their program.)
The program runs concurrent to the academic calendar. We run on industry cycles. Each cycle goes as follows:
Week 1: Industry Intro/ Research / & Virtual Week
Achievers research career industries, including licenses/certifications needed, colleges or tech schools, cost and offerings, salary range, and advancement opportunities, as they build their career maps.
Achievers also talk about and plan their service project for the upcoming month
Week 2: Career Exploration Conversation
Presenter in the industry shares their story and professional journey.
Youth & Government Session
Week 3: BYMOC & Queens Rising/ Mentor Moment Link-Up
Achievers work with their mentors or an Adult Achiever to finalize their Career Map presentations.
Achievers present career maps to their peers and receive feedback.
Week 4: Presentations/Professional/ Character Development Workshops
Achievers engage in a variety of workshops that focus on various professional life, hard, and soft skills
The YMCA Boys and Young Men of Color (BYMOC) strategy builds on, and invests in, pathways to success to help boys and young men of color reach their full potential. The BYMOC Strategy ensures equitable outcomes for boys and young men of color ages 11-17 by removing systemic barriers, providing relevant services and support systems, and creating nurturing environments that promote confidence and growth.
QueensRising has been designed to uplift and empower young women by building confidence, leadership skills, and career readiness, while reinforcing mental well-being and self-worth. It teaches emotional intelligence, confidence, and self-love. Encourages young women to take leadership roles in their communities and future careers.Creates safe spaces for young women to grow, support each other, and thrive together.
We have 18 program sites. You can select any site from this list that best fit your participant's schedule:
- Albany Leadership Academy (Youth - 7-8th) - 3:30-6 pm
- Albany Leadership Academy (Teens - 9-12th) - 3:30-6 pm
- Bethlehem Y - Mondays 5:30-8 pm
- Cohoes H.S. (Cohoes Students Only) - Mondays 3-5:30 pm
- Colonie Central H.S. (Colonie Students Only) - Thursdays 2:45-5:15 pm
- East Greenbush Y - Mondays 5:30-8 pm
- Guilderland Y - Tuesdays 5:30-8 pm
- Koda M.S. (Shen students only) - Wednesdays 3:45-6:15 pm
- Meyers Middle School (Meyers Students Only) - Thursdays 3-5:00 pm
- Schenectady Y (Youth - 7-8th) - Thursdays 5:15-8 pm
- Schenectady Y (Teens 9- 12th) - Thursdays 5:15-8 pm
- Shaker H.S. (Shaker Students Only) - Wednesdays 2:15-4:45 pm
- Southern Saratoga Y - Mondays 5:30-8:00 pm
- Siena College - Mondays 3-5:30 pm
- SUNY Downtown Campus (Youth - 7-8th) - Wednesdays 5:30-8 pm
- SUNY Downtown Campus (Teens - 9-12th) - Wednesdays 5:30-8 pm
- Troy Y (Youth - 7-8th) - Tuesdays 5-7:30 pm
- Troy Y (Teens - 9-12th) - Tuesdays 5-7:30 pm
Application & Program Costs
Choose your session ($75 nonrefundable deposit required)
- Full year: October -June | $250
- All Juniors and Seniors are required to enroll for this session
- Athletes may register for Fall or Spring Session with documentation from their coach or principal.
- All Juniors and Seniors are required to enroll for this session
- Fall Session: October - February | $150
- Spring Session: February - June | $150
Limited (income based) scholarships available